Rhododendron Rhododendron 'Pink Cherub'

Water

Rhododendrons, including 'Pink Cherub', should be watered deeply and thoroughly once a week during their growing season, or more frequently during dry spells. Ensure the plant receives about 1 inch of water weekly, avoiding overhead watering to prevent leaf and flower diseases. The root zone should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. In the absence of rainfall, you may need to provide approximately 1 gallon of water per week for each square foot of planting area. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering, but ensure the roots do not completely dry out.

Light

Rhododendron 'Pink Cherub' thrives in partial shade, where it can receive dappled sunlight throughout the day. The ideal spot is one where it's protected from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves. However, it still requires some sunlight to bloom adequately, so do not place it in deep shade. Morning light with afternoon shade often works best for this plant.

Temperature

Rhododendron 'Pink Cherub' prefers moderate temperatures and can usually withstand minimum winter temperatures down to about -5°F once well-established. However, the ideal temperature range for rhododendrons is between 40°F and 70°F. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing or above 80°F may damage the plant, so it's important to provide protection if extreme temperatures are expected.

Pruning

Prune the Rhododendron 'Pink Cherub' immediately after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Pruning at this time allows the plant to develop next year's bloom buds. Remove dead or diseased branches, and cut back areas that are overgrown or crowding other plants. Annual or biennial pruning is often enough to keep the plant healthy and well-shaped.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Rhododendrons, including 'Pink Cherub', thrive in well-draining, acidic soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. An ideal soil mix can be made from equal parts of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite to ensure good aeration and moisture retention.

Repotting

Rhododendrons like 'Pink Cherub' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. They prefer to be slightly root-bound, so repotting too frequently is not necessary.

Humidity & Misting

'Pink Cherub' prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 60%, to thrive. Avoid placing them in overly dry environments, which can cause stress and damage to the foliage.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place 'Pink Cherub' in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, in acidic, well-draining soil; protect from harsh sun.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

The Rhododendron 'Pink Cherub', also known as Azalea, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates, usually in a moist and shaded environment. After germination, the seedling emerges, establishing a root system and producing its first set of true leaves, indicative of the juvenile stage. As the plant matures into the vegetative stage, it develops a woody structure and foliage, with leaves that can vary in shape and size, typical of the Rhododendron genus. The Azalea reaches reproductive maturity in a few years, characterized by the production of distinctive pink flowers that attract pollinators for sexual reproduction. After pollination and fertilization, the flowers develop into seed pods, which eventually release seeds, completing the sexual reproductive cycle. Aside from sexual reproduction, Azaleas can also propagate vegetatively through cuttings or layering, creating genetic clones of the parent plant.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Rhododendron 'Pink Cherub', commonly known as Pink Cherub rhododendron, is best propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings. This popular method involves taking cuttings from new growth that has started to mature and harden, typically in late summer. To do this, a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) is taken just below a node, the leaves from the lower half of the cutting are removed, and the base is dipped in rooting hormone. The cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining medium, ensuring that the node where the leaves were removed is beneath the surface of the medium. The pot is then covered with plastic to retain humidity and placed in indirect light until roots develop, which may take several weeks. It is crucial to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once rooted, the new Pink Cherub rhododendron plants can be potted up separately and eventually planted out into the garden.